Effects of Multiple-Session Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Behavioral, Physiological, and Electrophysiological Measures With Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO · Jul 9, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how multiple sessions of a treatment called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can affect adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during social learning tasks. The goal is to see if real tDCS helps improve behavior and brain activity compared to a fake version of the treatment, called sham tDCS. Participants will take part in two blocks of sessions, completing five sessions of active tDCS and five sessions of sham tDCS, with a four-week break in between. During each session, they will work on tasks aimed at improving their social skills while receiving the stimulation.

To be eligible for the study, participants must be between 18 to 35 years old, speak English well, and have a diagnosis of autism or show significant traits of autism. They should also have good vision and hearing, be right-handed, and have a certain score on a cognitive test. Participants will undergo tests before and after each treatment block to measure changes in behavior and brain activity. At the end of the study, they will fill out a questionnaire about their experience. This trial is currently recruiting, and it's important for potential participants to review all the eligibility criteria to ensure they qualify.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 18-35 years
• • 2. Proficient in English
• • 3. Classification of autism or autism spectrum disorder on Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale, 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) or score of \>= 17 on Autism Quotient (AQ)
• • 4. Good or corrected vision and hearing
• • 5. Right-handed based on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
• • 6. Score of \>= 85 on Shipley-2
• • Exclusion Criteria
• • 1. No known loss of consciousness for \> 5 minutes
• • 2. No immediate biological family members with a history of epilepsy or seizure disorder
• • 3. No major medical needs (e.g., neurological disorders such as a seizure disorder; long-term illness)
• • 4. No surgically implanted metal above the neck (example: metal pins or plates, cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, brain electrodes)
• • 5. No hospitalization for depression, anxiety, or substance abuse in the past 12 months
• • 6. No individuals who are currently pregnant
• • 7. No pacemakers
• • 8. No history of neurological disorders such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, encephalitis, epilepsy, seizure disorder, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis